LAS VEGAS -- This was hardly the trip to Vegas the Illini had in mind.
Before arriving in Vegas for the Las Vegas Invitational, the smart money had the Illini winning its first game against Utah, and perhaps losing in the finals to Oklahoma State.
Few would have bet on the Illini losing two games. But that's exactly what happened as the Illini lost their second consecutive game to Bradley Saturday, 72-68, a day after suffering a second-half collapse against Utah.
Bradley had five players in double figures, led by Eddren McCain with 16, while Mike Davis had 17 for Illinois.
Photo: Illinois' Bill Cole is guarded by Bradley's Chris Roberts. (AP / Laura Rauch)
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Great game! The team that wanted it more won. The team with more talent (at least on paper) thought it would just be handed to them and though they fought hard, they could not match Bradley's intensity and desire. Kudos to the Braves. Coach Weber also got out coached for the 2nd night in a row.